Karachi, Sep 16
Social media has erupted in anger and disgust over anti-Hindu riots in Ghotki town of Sindh province and netizens have demanded immediate arrest of Mian Mitthu, infamous for his role in abduction of girls belonging to Hindu and other minority communities and converting them to Islam in Pakistan.

Twitterati in Pakistan are demanding his arrest, with #MianMitthu trending on Twitter. Mona Alam, a Twitter user, wrote: "Save our minorities, put him (Mitthu) in jail."

Another user Nomi wrote: "It's shameful, saddening! This scoundrel should be behind the bars. We stand in solidarity with our Hindu brothers. Don't even think of leaving your motherland."

Ghotki town and its surrounding areas in Pakistan on Sunday witnessed violence against Hindus after a Hindu school owner allegedly made some objectionable remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

Hundreds of angry men took to the streets there after Notan Lal, a Hindu and principal of the Sindh Public School, was accused of passing "blasphemous remarks" by a student.

A mob damaged Hindu religious places, properties and houses. But the authorities could not act promptly to control the situation.

Though Mitthu has denied any role in the riots, some videos on the web shows his elder brother prompting the anti-Hindu mob. It's alleged the rioters were led by Mian Abdul Haq alias Mian Mitthu and his elder brother Mian Aslam.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Mitthu said he had no connection with the Ghotki violence. "I was not even aware of what happened in Ghotki. I was not even present there. I came to know later that someone made objectionable remarks against the Prophet," he said.

The videos, however, prove him wrong.

A picture of Mitthu, along with Prime Minister Imran Khan, has also been shared. In another picture, he could be seen converting a Chinese girl to Islam.

Three cases have been registered against over 200 people in connection with the riots. Officials told The Express Tribune, 218 people had been named in these cases.

Over 200 booked for anti-Hindu riots in Pakistan

The police have registered three cases against more than 200 people in connection with the anti-Hindu riots in Pakistan Sindh province's Ghotki town.

Officials told The Express Tribune that the cases had been filed in which a total of 218 people were nominated.

Hundreds of angry protesters took to the streets in Ghotki on Sunday after Notan Lal, a member of the Hindu community and principal of the Sindh Public School, was accused of passing "blasphemous remarks" by a student.

Additional Inspector-General for Sukkur Jamil Ahmed said an FIR was filed against the principal on the complaint of Abdul Aziz Rajput, the student's father who claimed that the teacher had committed blasphemy by making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

Lal was booked and arrested following the protests, road blockages and riots in Ghotki city and its adjacent small towns.

The mob also vandalized the Sacho Satram Das temple and five shops owned by members of the Hindu community in Ghotki's Jilani Market, besides a private school were set alight.

In the first case registered against the rioters, 45 people were booked under Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code (injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class).

Of these 45, officials said, 22 people were identified, while 23 remain unidentified.

In the second case, 150 people - 27 identified and 123 unidentified - were accused of blocking roads and disrupting vehicular traffic.

A total of 23 people - 12 identified and 11 unidentified - were nominated in the third case which pertained to ransacking and damage to property.

Ahmed said all three cases were registered on behalf of the state. "This is a warning to all such miscreants that no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state."